This is my least favorite of the series. Harry is written like a typical 15 year old - angsty, whiny, and melodramatic! It makes it a hard story to get through because you just want Harry to suck it up and get over the little stuff so that he can deal with the bigger issues at hand! ( )

Harry returns to Privet Drive shaken. Haunted by the events of last year, he searches for answers, until a magical attack nearly costs him his life. In its wake accusations fly, demanding that Harry answer for his actions, until the Order intervenes. But even they are powerless to prevent a new teacher from bringing the full weight of the Ministry down on Hogwarts, forcing both faculty and student alike to guard their words.

In many ways this is a turning point. Whimsy and humor are increasingly marginalized as the series explores the more serious themes of grief, romance, jealousy, and wrath. As the boy who brought word of Voldemort’s return, Harry is twisted into a symbol of resentment, the harsh truth that many refuse to accept.

The theme of information runs throughout the story, beginning with Harry’s quest for answers, and gradually expanding to include the story’s numerous subplots. Audiences are invited to try and solve the various mysteries, sifting through an abundance of information that helps to truly shed light on every corner, and character, of the magical world. Unfortunately the subplots are so numerous, and so abundantly detailed, that some readers may feel a certain kinship with the characters, cramming for their final exams.

Eventually the subplots taper down, and audiences are treated to a series of deeply personal scenes, as Harry truly steps into his own, bringing the story to a rich ending unrivaled by the series thus far.

+Strong Setting*Large Cast of Strong Characters*Numerous Subplots*Blend of mature and adolescent themes*Longest in the series

My least favorite in the series - too drawn out in places and Harry's angst starts becoming contagious after awhile. However, I must point out that how I felt while ready must have mirrored Harry's emotions and that makes Rowling a true artist. ( )

Summary: When the government of the magic world and authorities at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry refuse to believe in the growing threat of a freshly revived Lord Voldemort, fifteen-year-old Harry Potter finds support from his loyal friends in facing the evil wizard and other new terrors. Harry Potter is furious that he is stuck at the Dursleys' house for the summer, when he suspects that Voldemort is gathering an army, and the wizarding authorities seem unwilling to do anything. Harry's so-called friends are trying to keep him in the dark. But he knows that Voldemort's forces can find him wherever he is; he could be attacked at any moment. Harry is finally rescued from Privet Drive by members of the Order of the Phoenix - a secret society first formed years ago to fight Voldemort - and discovers that maybe he is not alone in this battle after all." Fabulous! ( )

But tally the book’s strengths and weaknesses as you may, the fact remains that Rowling has once again created a fully-fledged world, and for the experience of being there with Harry, HP5 can’t be beat.

A considerably darker, more psychological book than its predecessors, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" occupies the same emotional and storytelling place in the Potter series as "The Empire Strikes Back" held in the first "Star Wars" trilogy. It provides a sort of fulcrum for the series, marking Harry's emergence from boyhood, and his newfound knowledge that an ancient prophecy holds the secret to Voldemort's obsession with him and his family.

Wikipedia in English (5)

As his fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry approaches, 15-year-old Harry Potter is in full-blown adolescence, complete with regular outbursts of rage, a nearly debilitating crush, and the blooming of a powerful sense of rebellion. Harry is feeling especially edgy at the lack of news from the magic world, wondering when the freshly revived evil Lord Voldemort will strike. Returning to Hogwarts will be a relief...or will it?

Haiku summary

New teacher is apsychopath. Don’t believe me?Then talk to the hand! (CathWhitney)

Evil just got a makeover. Pink has never been so menacing.(CathWhitney)

As his fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry approaches, 15-year-old Harry Potter is in full-blown adolescence, complete with regular outbursts of rage, a nearly debilitating crush, and the blooming of a powerful sense of rebellion. It's been yet another infuriating and boring summer with the despicable Dursleys, this time with minimal contact from our hero's non-Muggle friends from school. Harry is feeling especially edgy at the lack of news from the magic world, wondering when the freshly revived evil Lord Voldemort will strike. Returning to Hogwarts will be a relief... or will it?

The fifth book in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series follows the darkest year yet for our young wizard, who finds himself knocked down a peg or three after the events of last year. Somehow, over the summer, gossip (usually traced back to the magic world's newspaper, the Daily Prophet) has turned Harry's tragic and heroic encounter with Voldemort at the Triwizard Tournament into an excuse to ridicule and discount the teen. Even Professor Dumbledore, headmaster of the school, has come under scrutiny by the Ministry of Magic, which refuses to officially acknowledge the terrifying truth that Voldemort is back. Enter a particularly loathsome new character: the toadlike and simpering ("hem, hem") Dolores Umbridge, senior undersecretary to the Minister of Magic, who takes over the vacant position of Defense Against Dark Arts teacher--and in no time manages to become the High Inquisitor of Hogwarts, as well. Life isn't getting any easier for Harry Potter. With an overwhelming course load as the fifth years prepare for their Ordinary Wizarding Levels examinations (O.W.Ls), devastating changes in the Gryffindor Quidditch team lineup, vivid dreams about long hallways and closed doors, and increasing pain in his lightning-shaped scar, Harry's resilience is sorely tested.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, more than any of the four previous novels in the series, is a coming-of-age story. Harry faces the thorny transition into adulthood, when adult heroes are revealed to be fallible, and matters that seemed black-and-white suddenly come out in shades of gray. Gone is the wide-eyed innocent, the whiz kid of Sorcerer's Stone. Here we have an adolescent who's sometimes sullen, often confused (especially about girls), and always self-questioning. Confronting death again, as well as a startling prophecy, Harry ends his year at Hogwarts exhausted and pensive. Readers, on the other hand, will be energized as they enter yet again the long waiting period for the next title in the marvelous, magical series. (Ages 9 and older) --Emilie Coulter

Harry Potter, now a fifth-year student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, struggles with a threatening teacher, a problematic house elf, the dread of upcoming final exams, and haunting dreams that hint toward his mysterious past.